On the day of 23 August
Of Saint Rose, virgin, who, already given to uncommon austerities in girlhood, received the habit of the Sisters of the Third Order of Preachers regular at Lima in Peru, gave herself over to penance and prayer; and ardent in zeal for the salvation of sinners and of the Indian people for whom she desired to give her life, she subjected herself to all manner of torments that they might become rich in Christ. Her death occurred on the twenty-fourth day of August.

This is considered a true likeness of St. Rose painted after her death.

**Saint/Feast of the day segment copied from the USCCB page.


Reading 1: Ezekiel 43:1-7ab


When God says, "Son of man, this is where my throne shall be,this is where I will set the soles of my feet;here I will dwell among the children of Israel forever." , is he talking about the temple in Israel, or is he talking about any building that we choose for him, like every time we build a church? In other words, is this why we call every church "God's House"?


I do love these prophetic visions, though, with God swooping in from the east and angels and Ezekiel falling down on his face with the glory of it all. I almost don't even care what it means, the description is so lovely.






Gospel: Matthew 23:1-12


There are a couple of themes in this one that I'd like to talk about:

• First, Matthew 23: 1-7 covers that our religious leaders may sometimes be less than perfect. I don't know how many people I know who have been driven away from God by a preacher, priest, or youth minister who said one thing and did another. Basically, Jesus tells us to shore up against this. It's kinda par for the course when you are dealing with humans. Just listen to the words, and follow those, he says.


• Second, these particular set of verses, Matthew 23:8-10: As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’ You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. Do not be called ‘Master’; you have but one master, the Christ. I have heard this set of verses used a lot against the Catholic Church. So I checked the footnotes, and even though it doesn't answer any questions for me, I'll bring them on over for you: These verses, warning against the use of various titles, are addressed to the disciples alone. While only the title "Rabbi' has been said to be used in addressing the scribes and Pharisees (Matthew 23:7), the implication is that Father and "Master' also were. The prohibition of these titles to the disciples suggests that their use was present in Matthew's church. The Matthean Jesus forbids not only the titles but the spirit of superiority and pride that is shown by their acceptance. Whoever exalts . . . will be exalted: cf Luke 14:11. So, I remain confused.


• Last, this passage again directs us to a spirit of servitude. Maybe this is all that we are supposed to be taking from this: As Christians, we should embrace a spirit of servitude.